Michael Johnson V Justin Gaethje: What will go down:

This one is sure to turn some heads.

A hugely intriguing, exciting and important Lightweight clash headlines The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption finale, as the #5 ranked contender Michael 'The Menace' Johnson, welcomes former WSOF Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje to the octagon for his UFC bow. Both men traded barbs at the UFC Summer Kickoff Press Conference, adding heat to the contest, with both men legitimate knockout artists.

Johnson is in quite a difficult stage of his career with one win in his last four, with losses against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Beneil Dariush and Nate Diaz coming either side of a brutal knockout victory over former Featherweight challenger Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier. A NJCAA division wrestler at heart, Johnson has developed into a really dominant striker, wobbling Khabib before his Kimura loss in the final round of their three round bout. The win over Louisiana native Poirier, joins other high profile victories over Brazilian Muay Thai expert Edson Barboza, and probable title challenger Tony Ferguson.

Justin 'The Highlight' Gaethje really lives up to his nickname, with his so far undefeated 17-0 record stacked high with 14 separate KO victories. Punches and elbows aren't the only capable ending of bouts with Gaethje, as similar to the aforementioned Barboza, the Arizona native's record is scattered with three separate leg kick stoppages. Gaethje is also a NCAA Division I wrestler, so takedowns both offensive and defensive should be dealt with great comfort for the newcomer. Gaethje signed off from World Series of Fighting with another dominant performance, this time against former PRIDE and DREAM grappler Luiz Firmino, forcing a doctor stoppage against the Brazil veteran.

This fight is certainly one of the hardest to call in the Lightweight division today, as the often spectacular Gaethje tends to get hit quite often despite his incredible calibre, and when you miss against Johnson, he generally makes you pay, evident from his win over Poirier. Gaethje undoubtedly has the ability to starch Johnson early on and even chew up that lead leg with those damaging leg kicks, so for that reason I'm going with 'The Highlight' whose star will continue to rise.

Justin Gaethje via knockout/doctor stoppage.

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